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By Chris Brown

March to Mental Health

Keep in Touch program looking for more volunteer callers

Feb 26, 2021 | 3:28 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – As the COVID-19 pandemic continues so does the need for supports such as the Keep in Touch program.

Keep in Touch (KIT) provides connection and support for people who are feeling lonely or isolated by connecting them with volunteer callers.

The program is being run by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), after beginning in the summer through the Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta.

KIT program coodinator Sydney Ratzlaff says they’ve been getting great feedback from participants from the very beginning.

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“These participants can get essentially a free support and a friendship out of this when social connection is so limited. This is just a program where they can experience that social connection and just fight isolation,” she said, adding it goes along with CMHA mandate of mental health for all.

Volunteer Nathalie Watts has been volunteering for about three months.

A Home Care aide, she works with many seniors and has seen them struggling with isolation over the past 11 months.

“They appreciate the phone call, they love the communication, the laughter, the jokes,” said Watts. “It just helps them feel not so alone. I think it’s just a great way to open up the gateway, open up the door and let them know that they’re not alone, that there are people there to help.”

It’s been rewarding for her, too.

“I’ve gotten to know my participants, we’ve created a really great bond and I look forward to the phone calls just as much as they wait for me to call. We’ve built a bond, a friendship on the phone and I feel great doing it as well.”

There are currently 22 volunteers making calls to about 30 participants.

Some volunteers have stepped away from the positions, needing a change or a break after many months of making calls.

CMHA is looking for more volunteers and will have a March to Mental Health campaign next month.

“We really don’t want participants to have to wait to receive a phone call so if we can build up our volunteer base that would be great,” said Ratzlaff.

The program asks for a three-month commitment of at least one hour per week. Training, onboarding and the cost of a police intervention check is covered.

If you want to be involved as a volunteer or participant call the CMHA main office at 403-504-1811 or email kitprogram@cmha-aser.ca.